Penhold Blades

Cloud Cledera Asked 13 years ago

Hi Alois and Jeff,

I've already mastered the shakehand grip such as topspin, backspin, sidespin, drive, loop, dropshot, counterhits, lobbing, volleying, etc. and I've decided to learn the penhold.

I've seen your video of doing the penhold. Although I haven't personally used a true penhold bat. I've seen in a couple pictures of having a little gap between the handle and the blade, having an opening and seeing the wooden part of the blade where your index and thumb rests. But at some point, I realized, not all penholders are making use of that, or perhaps to say that the penhold bat looks like a normal paddle. 

So in this case, what would be best, the one with an opening, or the normal?

Alois Rosario Answered 13 years ago

Hi Cloud,

There are two types of penhold bats, the Japanese and the Chinese types.  You need to try both to see which one feels better for you.  Players use both to very good effect so it is just a matter of preference.